July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. In
observance, AAHP will focus on raising awareness of mental health issues and
promote and support access to quality mental health care among African
Americans in Montgomery County. Unfortunately, African Americans face more
mental health challenges than White Americans but are less likely to receive
quality mental health treatment. According to Health
in Montgomery County, 2008-2016, a report published by Montgomery County Health and
Human Services, African Americans had the highest rate of emergency room visits
for mental health and substance abuse. The reasons for these disparities
include the stigmatization of mental illness as well as less access to quality
health care among African Americans overall.

Everyone can do their part to improve mental health
outcomes among African Americans by reducing the stigma of mental illness.
Open, earnest conversations about mental health with friends and family can
help “normalize” mental health so that more people can be encouraged to seek
treatment to improve their mental health and ultimately, their sense of peace
and well-being.